News Release
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Roseburg District Office
777 Garden Valley Blvd.
Roseburg, Oregon 97470
For Immediate Release
Release No. OR-100-2006-019
US Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Umpqua National Forest
2900 NW Stewart Parkway
Roseburg, Oregon 97470
News Contact:
Isaac Barner or Joe Ross (541) 464-3293 or 464-3248
Debra Barner (541) 957-3462
Backyard Archeology Project and Other Events Planned on National Public Lands Day, September 30
Roseburg, OR – September 5, 2006 -- Every fall the general public joins with federal
agencies and private organizations to celebrate National Public Lands Day. The Bureau of Land
Management’s Roseburg District and the Umpqua National Forest will participate in the 13th
Annual National Public Lands Day on September 30, and they need your help. This nationwide
event, sponsored for the eighth consecutive year by Toyota, is a day when community-minded
individuals, family and groups of all ages volunteer to give back to the public lands where they
hike, bike, climb, swim, picnic or just plain relax.
At a Backyard Archeology Project, volunteers will assist BLM and Forest Service
archeologists in screening soil removed from an archeology site near Colliding Rivers in Glide.
Their objectives will be to recover artifacts, including bone and stone tools. There will also be a
display of artifacts along with lessons in atlatl (spear) throwing. This project, occurring at the
BLM office at 777 NW Garden Valley Blvd., will start at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Sack
lunches will be provided. To help, call Isaac Barner at (541) 464-3293.
As part of fall volunteer program efforts, the BLM will also be a partner on the 23rd annual
Umpqua Basin River Cleanup Day, which will take place on September 23rd, the Saturday
before National Public Lands Day. The Umpqua River Cleanup Committee organizes crews to
clean up various Douglas County stream segments. Other partners include SOLV, Umpqua
Watersheds, and the Forest Service. To help with river cleanup, call Bob Hoehne at (541) 679
7077. Volunteers can pick what areas they would like to work in, and they will be fully briefed
regarding potential safety hazards before starting a cleanup.
Forest Service officials invite outdoor enthusiasts, families and individuals to celebrate National
Public Lands Day by picking up litter along the 440 miles of hiking trails on the Umpqua
National Forest in Douglas and Lane counties. Fees at the five trailheads, three boating sites and
one picnic area will be waived for September 30 as people enjoy the sites on September 30th.
PAGE 2 -- Backyard Archeology Project Planned on Public Lands Day, Sept. 30
Past National Public Lands Day events in Douglas County have attracted many volunteers and
accomplished projects throughout the County valued at over $1.2 million. “Many of the projects
would not be completed without the aid of dedicated volunteers who turn out on National Public
Lands Day. Volunteers are among our most respected and valued resources”, stated Jay Carlson,
BLM’s Roseburg District Manager. “They pitch in and help whenever and wherever there’s a
need. They bring enthusiasm and experience to the jobs. Volunteers are often inspirational role
models who demonstrate that citizens can make a difference.”
Again this year, volunteers who work at a site managed by any of five federal agencies (Bureau
of Land Management, National Park Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and
Wildlife Service or Forest Service) will be rewarded with a free entry day during the next year at
any public land site managed by those agencies. Volunteers at the BLM’s Backyard Archeology
Project will also receive National Public Lands Day T-shirts.
So roll up your sleeves and give a little back to your public lands. Any tools, safety equipment,
or materials needed for the projects will be furnished by the BLM.
For other information or see a list of National Public Lands Day sites, activities, contacts, and
downloadable photos from past events go to www.npld.com, or call 1-800-VOL-TEER (800
865-8337). Volunteer opportunities nationwide are also listed on-line at
http://www.volunteer.gov/gov.
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